"The Author, it must be remembered, writes from his own standpoint!"My personal "Interpretive" Lens!

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If you have a question not covered in this blog feel free to send it to me at my email address, i.e. "snow" dot here "covered" dot here "bamboo" AT symbol here "gmail" dot here "com"

"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour

"Ideally, your self-defense will never get physical. Avoiding the situation and running or talking you way out - either of these is a higher order of strategy than winning a physical battle." - Wise Words of Rory Miller, Facing Violence: Chapter 7: after, subparagraph 7.1:medical

"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon

Warning, Caveat and Note:The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.

Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.

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Does kata really teach to fight multiple attackers?

If you want it to. In my practice kata does not teach you to fight. Kata is the blueprint to practice martial technique. It is used to draw out actual martial, in my case karate, technique which the practitioner must put together on the fly to apply them using fundamental martial principles.

Kata teaches you to apply those principles. It is the traditional documentation of waza that "work." Work in regards to their intent yet they still are "adjustable" to learn and implement regardless to the time, i.e. 1800's vs. 21st century.

It trains you to move, maintain posture, maintain body alignment, apply body mechanics, etc. so it does plenty. It provides us the tools to achieve efficiency in applying karate techniques toward an attacker.

Just take a moment to look at the principles of martial power and you will readily see how kata applies to instruction, etc. To go completely into how kata are used is extensive. Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder wrote a book on kata and that was only a part of it.

Ok, now you have my view on kata but back to the question in particular, does kata teach to fight multiple opponents? No, but I will admit that once a person achieves a certain level of proficiency that kata can be utilized to provide fundamental instruction and practice in fighting more than one person.

Yet, how often do folks actually encounter multiple attackers. In my view seldom. When it involves multiple persons I suspect and theorize that it usually involves the "group monkey dance" which can be avoided.

Lets also remember the "adrenaline dump effects." Very few have the ability to overcome the tunnel visioning, etc. so how on earth can you expect to be aware and reactive to multiple persons attacking? Not likely for most of us and even those who are professionals have posted or written that it still takes great effort to achieve success here. So, how can the regular "joe or sue" achieve this level of expertise in the dojo? Not likely but then again it is fun to try and achieve some practice drills that allow us to experience a bit of the pressure, etc. of facing several opponents.

Lets be real, most folks will never encounter multiple attackers and if they do it will most likely, in my opinion, be a surprise violent attack designed well in advance by the attackers to overwhelm you where you will not be able to act. If your lucky to break the freeze and have just enough mind left you may be able to flee, maybe, but there are so many variables that remain fluid and chaotic it ain't funny.

My final advice, have fun with the idea and train if you will but remember that you must tell yourself that this is not realistic and that you are not able to realistically train to deal with multiple attacks. SD is doable but remain realistic, train to avoid, deescalate, etc.

This Internet Site is for informational purposes only, strictly an academic endeavor, so do not try to practice or utilize any of the information contained herein with out close mentoring by a complete and fully qualified Sensei.

Your participation is voluntary when you practice FA/MA so the onus is on you to provide for your own safety. You MUST have a qualified Sensei and you MUST have a physician's health assessment along with his/her approval to enter into and participate in any and all fighting/martial art.

Understand that to participate continually and diligently you will be voluntarily submitting your mind and body to potentially dangerous activity that is strenuous with both mental and physical challenges. Your practice, both in the Dojo and on your own, opens you to possible injuries that can result in permanent disability, deformity, or even death.

It is your responsibility to remain focused, aware, and take appropriate actions to provide for your own safety, health, and well-being. If any part of your practice is questionable you are the only one responsible to bring it to Sensei's attention and to either participate of not. You MUST work within your personal limitations.

Disclaimer!

Every effort is being made to make this blog site as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both typographical and in content. Therefore, this blog should be used only as a general guide and not the ultimate source of practicing and training in the fighting arts. Furthermore, this blog site contains information on the fighting arts that is current only up to the publishing date and time.

The purpose of this blog site is to educate and entertain. The author shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused , directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this blog site.

When it comes to martial arts, fighting arts or self-defense, etc. nothing here no matter how well presented, can substitute for qualified professional, hands on instruction provided that instructor is properly educated and trained. This blog site and all its materials are for academic study ONLY.

If you do not wish to be bound by the above, you may navigate away from the site at any time.